Dario backs Academy graduates Cooper and Saunders to make more of an impact this season.
Dario Gradi has told crewealex.net that the club’s youngsters George Cooper and Callum Saunders can make a decisive impact next season. The club’s director of football believes that the two attack-minded players have a big campaign ahead of them after being used sparingly last season.
Cooper, 19, made 30 appearances in total last season but was used mostly as an impact substitute by manager Steve Davis. The Warrington-born forward showed another flash of his talent with a stunning free-kick away at Southend United back in March but he struggled for goals.
Wales Youth International Saunders, 20, scored twice against Doncaster Rovers and Colchester United in his 19 appearances.
Dario told us: “Both George and Callum have been in and out of the side. It is sometimes beneficial for them to be put in and then taken back out. They have to play well enough to stay in the team and it’s up to the coaches to get the best out of them as well.
“George has stuttered a bit but there is still some real skill in there and it is getting that out of him.
“I think the ability is there, now it is getting him to produce it on a regular basis.
“Callum is an interesting one. In some ways we won’t be expecting too much from him and he may just surprise us because we know he can take a goal. He could have a real impact if he can cope physically.”